Chapter 102

Chapter 102

The Heroine of the 1st Playthrough Remembers My Training.

Episode 102: The Family Matters Of Calliope Epilogue (3).

“…Yujin.”

“Brother Erden?”

When I turned my gaze to the voice calling me, Erden was standing there with an expressionless face.

Unlike the nobles dressed in extravagant clothes flaunting their wealth and power.

He was only wearing a formal suit adorned with nothing more than a silver thread, but because of his appearance, Erden seemed to stand out much more compared to the others.

“…”

“…”

Even though Erden had given up his position as the next head, it was still hard to face him, so Garcia and Reika quietly stepped back.

Seeing that, I apologized to Erden on their behalf.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s not something you need to apologize for.”

“…Still. I’m sorry. But brother, you must be very busy. What brings you to me?”

Just as I said, numerous nobles were eagerly waiting to speak a word with the next head.

“Indeed, I am busy, but there is something I must tell you before I talk with them.”

“…What do you mean…?”

Before I could finish my sentence, Erden suddenly bowed his waist.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you.”

I was momentarily surprised, my eyes widening, but as I understood the situation, a smile naturally formed on my face.

It was very much like Erden to come to thank me first, even in such a busy time dealing with other nobles.

‘But…’

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

The next head bowing to a third son in public drew way too much attention.

Look at them.

Even now, all eyes were madly focused on us.

“Come on, brother. Lift your head. It’s unbecoming for the head of Calliope to bow carelessly in front of others.”

“I’m not the head yet. And it is precisely because it’s in front of people that I bowed. No matter how many times I acknowledge your merit, if others don’t know, it’s as if it never happened.”

“Understood. I understand, so please get up. It’s burdensome for me. Must I leave the banquet on such a good day?”

Only after I groaned did Erden slowly lift his waist.

“…Thank you. I won’t forget this debt. If there’s anything you wish for, just let me know.”

There was nothing in particular I wanted.

The reason I made Erden the next head was not to gain something but to prevent Calliope from collapsing in the event of a future war.

‘…Hmm.’

However, saying I wanted nothing might make Erden unwilling to back down, so I spoke with some uncertainty.

“…Then, please help me without asking why when I come to you with a request later.”

“Alright. I will.”

Unexpectedly, Erden nodded right away.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Given Erden’s personality, he wouldn’t usually make such a promise without knowing the details.

With his rigid character, he would have ensured to listen to the request before agreeing.

But this time was different.

The fact that Erden accepted the condition without any questions meant he trusted me strongly.

“I swear on my heart that I will keep my promise.”

Though his tone was still cold and emotionless, upon closer inspection, I noticed the corners of Erden’s mouth slightly lifted.

Seeing that, I stifled a wry smile and changed the subject.

“…Have you spoken with Cale, brother?”

“Not yet. I will try to talk to him now.”

Following Erden’s gaze, I saw Cale standing alone with a dark expression.

And surprisingly, numerous noble young ladies were gathered around Cale.

Of course, the families of those gathered young ladies were somewhat lower in status.

Since Cale was out of the successor race, the prominent families would all align with Erden.

But still, Cale bore the ‘Calliope’ name.

That alone was enough for the lower-ranked families.

‘…Popular as ever.’

I had said it many times, but Cale was still decent-looking.

The reason he wasn’t popular until now wasn’t his looks but his lousy personality and frivolous aura.

“….”

However, now that Cale, with his handsome face, was exuding a melancholic aura, it was impossible for women not to flock to him.

‘Vanity of vanities.’

To think he needed his manhood only after losing it—what a tragic turn of events!

I raised a toast in my heart towards Cale and resumed sipping my wine.

Ding─ Ding─

A clear sound rang out.

Turning my gaze to the direction of the sound, I saw Eddard standing on the podium.

“…I sincerely welcome all of you gathered here in the name of Calliope. And although it’s sudden, I have an announcement to make.”

Though everyone pretended not to, they were all waiting for Eddard to announce Erden as the next head.

But the words that came from Eddard’s mouth were far more shocking than expected.

“I will officially hand over the head position to Erden and retire here and now.”

“…!”

Aside from me, everyone else was too shocked to even pretend otherwise.

“…Lord Eddard, what are you…”

“Retirement seems like a hasty decision.”

As people grasped the situation, opposition erupted from all sides, but Eddard did not blink an eye.

“This is a decision I have already made. Or do you mean to say Erden is unfit to be the head?”

“…No. Upon reconsideration, it is an excellent decision.”

“To Erden…no, to our new head, let us offer a toast.”

As expected of the nobles who lived by their wits, the moment they realized Eddard’s resolve was firm, they instantly changed their stance.

“Then, a toast to the new head of Calliope, Erden!”

“Cheers!”

Everywhere, people were raising toasts and music was playing, but Erden himself was frowning.

“…What is this? Father is retiring?”

“What can we do about it now that it’s already announced? Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”

“…”

Erden gave me a look as if asking if I already knew, but I sipped my wine without answering.

“Congratulations, Lord Erden. My name is Vanitas. I have always respected Lord Erden’s character…”

At that moment, one of the nobles, who had been watching for an opportunity, took the lead.

“Cough, it’s been a long time, Lord Erden. I don’t know if you remember me, but…”

“Lord Erden…”

Unable to bear it, the nobles who had lost their chance simultaneously rushed towards Erden, and I took the opportunity to slip into a corner.

‘The official announcement is over…’

While killing some time waiting for Lucia to arrive, I was wandering around the banquet when someone in a white dress spoke to me.

“…Um…excuse me….if…if it’s alright with you…would you…da…dance with me!..Ugh!”

The young lady who had asked for a dance seemed to have bitten her tongue, as she jumped up and her face turned bright red.

“Ah…Ah…no, it’s alright. I apologize.”

Thinking it would be impolite to let her leave like that, and since I had some time to kill, I lightly held her hand.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to dance with me?”

“…Ugh!…Yes.”

Although I had never really danced before, the ‘Prince of the Bed,’ who almost perfectly handled any matter involving charming women, showed his prowess in this situation as well.

“…You’re…an amazing…dancer!”

“You flatter me. It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance.”

“…I…I didn’t do anything…but…I’m a bit tired now.. Would you like to take a walk if that’s okay?..Oops!”

As the young lady was earnestly speaking, red wine spilled on her dress.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

Reika, who spoke with a tone that suggested she wasn’t sorry at all.

“Yes..yes…”

“…Excuse me. I was distracted by a stray cat.”

“A cat…at the banquet?”

“…Yes, it slipped in unnoticed. Don’t worry, I’ll soon get rid of it.”

Snap, snap.

With two snaps of her fingers, Emma, who had been busily carrying food, appeared and started dragging the young lady away.

“Oh my! Your dress is quite dirty! Don’t worry! We have spare clothes prepared! Come, this way.”

“What?… Yes?.. Wait a moment..”

“Hurry up. If you don’t change quickly, you might catch a cold.”

“…No… it’s not that…!”

The young lady tried to resist, but she couldn’t match Emma’s strength.

Only after watching the young lady being dragged out of the banquet hall did I speak.

“…What are you doing? Did you plan this with Emma?”

“Oh my, brother. What do you mean? I just spilled some wine because my foot got caught.”

Reika feigned ignorance, twirling her hair.

Then Garcia joined in.

“Well done, Reika. Her gaze at my Yujin was far too lewd. Such things must be subdued from the start.”

“Mother… it was just a dance.”

“Everything begins with a dance or a drink.”

“….”

Somehow, Garcia’s words, possibly from experience, sounded credible.

“By the way, brother. My hand is empty. Would you care for a dance?”

“Family members shouldn’t do such things, sister.”

“….”

When I rejected her bluntly, Reika looked at me in disbelief, but what could I do?

As the banquet continued with dance and music, strange things began to happen.

“….”

At first, it was one person.

Upon seeing someone entering through the open door, they stood still as if under a petrification curse.

Then, one by one, people turned their gaze towards the door and fell silent.

Eventually, even the musicians stopped playing and simply stared at the person walking in.

“Why did they stop playing…”

“Why is everyone looking…”

By this point, people sensed something was off and directed their attention to one place.

“….?”

Curious, I also looked towards where everyone’s gaze was fixed.

Click—

The world seemed to come to a halt.

Click—

Eventually, all eyes were on one spot, and the once noisy banquet hall grew silent enough to hear the footsteps.

Click—

It wasn’t anything special.

Click—

Just walking normally.

Click—

But that was enough.

Click—

A woman who overwhelmed the hall just by appearing.

Click—

It was Lucia Uruella.